How often do you poo?

[LivingOnAnIsland]

Sorry if this is a bit yucky - I only poo every few days. I'm definitely not constipated, I think I eat fairly healthily, but I just don't poo very often. Would like other people's routine to see if I have a problem!

Every morning, usually before 9am.

Pretty clockwork really.

Once or twice a day., sometimes more. Do you drink enough fluid?

Once every 3-4 days. Healthy diet, drink at least 2 litres of water a day.

Always once, more often twice and sometimes 3 x.

Walking and other exercise is needed to get the guts working, as well as fibre and fluids.

Once a day usually without fail, if I have a lot of veg smoothies a few times! X

Every morning, without fail. Sometimes also in the late afternoon.

Might be worth working out how much fibre is in your diet. Aim for 30 gms a day at least. Most people don't get that much. I think you might be surprised at how you are missing the target if you do a tally.

[[http://www.webmd.boots.com/healthy-eating/high-fibre-food]

3 - 4 times a day - but only once every 3 or 4 days. Very poor fluid intake overall.

Also have gallstones and IBS which means it is mostly very unpredictable all round...

Skylark, your pattern is most like mine - and presumably you aren't worried? Polly and Japonica, that seems like a lot! I'll try and increase my fluids and exercise and see if I can go more regularly. Thank you for your comments.

You know, everyone's bowel habits are different, it's whether they're usual for you.
Twice a day, or once every two days- both completely normal.
I used to know someone that went once a week. But it was normal for them.

Also, do you count tea and coffee as fluids? I don't really like water.

Polly, that's a really good link, thank you.

@LivingOnAnIsland I'm not concerned at all. It's normal to me. Doesn't hurt, no bleeding etc. I have been like this for about 10 years now. Had my gallbladder removed a year ago, thought that may make a difference with some of the side effects of the op but it didn't.

Lots of water and green veg, including daily spinach, cabbage or celeriac: daily and feel better for it.

Coffee or senna pods on holiday, to balance out any disruption.

Never! A lady never does, let alone speaks of such things! I can only assume you are all hairy handed!

I'm not that regular - similar to you. I should work on drinking more fluids and upping my fibre but I suspect I'll never be regular like more than once a day. I know people who don't eat a lot of fibre and are still really regular.

I visit the loo and lock the door multiple times a day - mostly for some peace and to go on mn!!

It's true that whatever is normal for you is 'normal' but having said that there is some concern that the longer the poo hangs around inside your bowel the more toxins are lurking around and it may be associated with bowel cancer. That is why a high fibre diet helps avoid cancer and also reduces cholesterol.

It's actually quite surprising to see how much fruit, veg and cereals you need to get to the 30gms a day.

An apple is between 1.2 - 2gms of fibre so we'd need anything from 25 to 15 apples in a day if we ate no other fibre. That gives some idea.

This is another good link

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/how-to-get-more-fibre-into-your-diet.aspx

How to reduce risks of bowel cancer

www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/risk-factors/reducing-your-risk/diet/

Thank you polly

I'm not regular at all and not in a 'normal' way but I'll spare you the details...

Anyway, last week I decided to do something about it. I bought some linseed from Aldi that I've been putting on my cereal, eating a half grapefruit with breakfast to up my fruit consumption, drinking more water and drinking a strong black coffee. I've recorded my results on Clue so I could get a real picture of whether it was making a difference and it really is!

It's taking some effort though but I definitely feel better.

Strong black coffee helps?

Something to do with stimulating the right muscles. On Tuesday I had my two tbsp of linseed followed by a coffee then went to the supermarket... Never again. I had to abandon my trolley to dash to the loo.

Oh dear! Will maybe start with one small spoon of linseed then.....

I think your bowel habits fall within a normal range? The key things are you aren't struggling to poo and you don't feel uncomfortable. I wouldn't worry OP.

Thanks user, I think I've come to the same conclusion - we're all different!